Niner Noise
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3 realistic options 49ers have to replace Ahkello Witherspoon

By Peter Panacy

Ahkello Witherspoon #23 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images)
Ahkello Witherspoon #23 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /
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SAN DIEGO, CA – DECEMBER 06: Cornerback Jason Verrett #22 of the San Diego Chargers celebrates after intercepting a pass in the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at Qualcomm Stadium on December 6, 2015 in San Diego, California. The Broncos won 17-3. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA – DECEMBER 06: Cornerback Jason Verrett #22 of the San Diego Chargers celebrates after intercepting a pass in the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at Qualcomm Stadium on December 6, 2015 in San Diego, California. The Broncos won 17-3. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Cornerback Jason Verrett

Unless the 49ers use one of their own players as a trade commodity, it’s highly unlikely another player is brought in for a short-term addition to replace Ahkello Witherspoon.

And if the Niners need to make up only three weeks, an on-roster option might be the best bet.

Veteran corner Jason Verrett, who was inactive the first two weeks of 2019, replaced Witherspoon on Sunday. And it’s safe to say he didn’t look good, getting flagged for a defensive pass-interference call against Steelers wide receiver James Washington. On the following play, Pittsburgh wideout Diontae Johnson beat Verrett badly for a touchdown:

This play eventually led to Verrett being benched late. That said, Verrett deserves a slight pass, given this was his first game since the beginning of the 2017 season. And he’s appeared in just six regular-season games since the start of 2016, due to a swarm of injuries.

Needless to say, Verrett needs to get his proverbial “football legs” underneath him.

Two weeks could help with that, of course. But Verrett has a long way to go before proving he can be a reliable option on one side of the 49ers secondary.